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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Sussex => England => Sussex Lookup Requests => Topic started by: caledon on Wednesday 31 October 12 12:06 GMT (UK)
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Hello everyone,
I have a Thomas Hobden married to a Martha Starley. He attempted to murder her and then committed suicide on April 9,1865 in Keymer. He was married to her since 1820 (Bolney) and just fell into a depression in his 70s. I have the newspaper article about it and his death certificate.
What I can't seem to find is his baptismal record. According to all the census records, he was born between 1796-1801. I can't find one for these dates. He always states he was born in Keymer and lived there all his life. Any suggestions ?
My goal is to find his parent's names so that I can go back further in his family tree.
Any help appreciated,
Sandra
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Hi Sandra,
The St Cosmas & St Damian, Keymer burial register records 2 HOBDEN burials that are possibly your ancestors:-
September 28th, 1846, Elizabeth HOBDEN, aged 68
November 21st, 1853, Thomas HOBDEN, aged 72
Victor
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Hi Sandra,
What was the age on the death cert?
Sean
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The age on the death certificate is 61 which was given by the coroner so I think it's incorrect. All census records point to him being born between 1791 (per 1841) and 1801.
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Thanks for the Keymer burial records, I will follow up on them. Thomas committed suicide so he would not have been buried in a church graveyard. His marriage record does not give any parent's names either.
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A suicide could be buried in a churchyard by this period, I have one in the family in 1848 in Lindfield, a newspaper reports the body was not alllowed into the church and the burial was conducted at night, without any ceremony.
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I'm still facing a brickwall. Thomas Hobden born circa 1791-1801 according to census records, states that he was from Keymer. There are NO Thomas Hobdens recorded as being baptised in Keymer, Clayton, Ditchling etc. He married a Martha Starley Nov.22, 1820 in Bolney. She was from Slaugham. I know he tried to kill her and he committed suicide in 1865. What I CANT find is his baptism or his parents names. His marriage record shows a James Hobden as a witness. I don't have access to the Bolney parish marriage records, so I don't know if this was a relative or a person of good standing in Bolney.
The only clue I have is this...James Hobden #1, died in 1807, left a will, leaving property to a son called James (and others)
James Hobden #2, died in 1841, left a will, leaving Hasledene (Hazeldene Farm) to his 6 children, one of whom
is named Thomas (who would have been the right age)
Hazeldene Farm is just north of Bolney, not far from Slaugham and would fit geographically to this family I'm searching but I can't verify whether this James is MY Thomas's father.
Anyone out there have access to local records or connections to this family/farm?
I live in Canada.
Any help appreciated.
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Spotted a burial for a Thomas Hobden age 44 in Bolney in 1846. Could he be the son of the James who died in 1841? It would cut him out of the equation if so.
afossil
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This is true. I'm going to have to dig deeper...thanks.
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The other witness at the marriage in 1820, John Taylor, is a frequent witness so presumably a church warden or of similar standing.
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Interesting that a James Hobden married Mary Starley at Ditchling 28 May 1821. Wonder of they were brothers marrying two sisters?
Might be worth following them through the census to see if there are any clues.
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That IS interesting! I don't have access to the marriage records and the SFHG site doesn't show marriages, only baptisms. I see that some think this James was married 3 times, Mary Starley, Mary Ghent, then Jane King. I would think that the witnesses to the James Hobden and Mary Starley marriage being Thomas and Martha Hobden would definitely point to them being brothers (or cousins) marrying sisters.
Anyone know of a quick way to get the marriage info on James Hobden and Jane King? It would show the parents.
A certificate will take 2 weeks to get here (Canada).
S
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When and where was that last marriage? If after 1837 it will show fathers but none of our certificates show both parents.
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In 1841 James, age 40, a carpenter, is in Brighton with Mary 40, Alfred 12, Henry 9, Sarah 6.
In 1851 he is age 51 born Keymer, with Jane 39 b Ditchling and Amy? King step daughter and Mary King step daughter. Both seem to be age 8 but it is not very clear. Still in Brighton.
I would be very wary of the trees on Ancestry. They seem to be totally wrong with some information. I misread the Henry on 1841 as Mary at first too until I noticed his age was in the male column. They have a marriage to Mary Gent far earlier than the possible one that shows on freebmd in 1845 - though there is no proof she is the bride, nor that it is the correct James.
However, there is a marriage to Jane King and as he is with a wife called Jane in 1851 and step daughters called King the freebmd marriage in that year does seem very likely. Brighton 7 347 Mar 1851.
Brighton covers a large area though so not knowing the church hinders us in looking at parish registers.
Making progress though.
Andrea
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I thihk I will just go ahead and order the marriage certificate for James Hobden and Jane King. I believe that it will show him as a widower with the name of his previous wife? If not, at least it will show a father's name.
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It should show name, age, address, status (ie widower) and occupation. It won't show previous wife but should have the name and occupation of his father. Do let us know what it says.